Lehmann confident of own future - 23 Nov 2007
Jens Lehmann has reiterated his desire to reclaim Arsenal's goalkeeping jersey and talked up his chances of picking up silverware in 2008 with club and country.
Despite having been dropped by Arsene Wenger after a series of blunders at the start of the season, the 38-year-old has retained his position in the national side.
There has been endless speculation about Lehmann’s future in the wake of his unceremonious dumping from first-team action in favour of Manuel Almunia, and after some much-publicised outspoken comments Lehmann has decided to play the diplomatic card and state his intention to play for the club.
“None of us know what will happen in January,” he told German website sport1. “We are now in the middle of November, and I will try to concentrate on the international match against Wales. After that I hope I will play with Arsenal again.
“It could also be that I will sit on the bench again considering my recent experiences. But I firmly believe in the fact I will play again soon.
“I do not play at the moment. I have experienced this before and succeeded.
“I am fit, and with the more experience I have I can deal with pressure situations better. My potential means I am still at the top.
“The rest is up to the coach. That is the final few percent which I cannot affect.”
Lehmann said he had ignored outside criticism for his early-season performances and the way he responded to Wenger dropping him.
“I do not have to pay attention to other people’s opinion of me,” he continued. “If I play badly then someone naturally has the right to criticise me in a football sense. If I do something good then the reporting will be good.”
And Lehmann also believes that, having already qualified for Euro 2008, Germany can go on to win the tournament next summer, with him between the sticks.
“We will be one of the teams who can win the title. France and Italy could also win,” he added.
“The European championships are my goal, but before that I can win something with Arsenal still.” |